I’m quite liking all the titles in this round up of some of our New Books. An old favourite – the NZ Road Code 2023 version, an investigative look into the aftermath of being involved in a Cult, a book about the science proving the link between our minds and body and how vital it is to make movement a daily part of our life, and lastly a fictional story about mental health and panic attacks and learning the skills to cope and overcome them from a good friend.

The official New Zealand road code 2023

This one is self explanatory – every few years, Waka Kotahi brings out a slightly modified updated version of the Road Code – essential reading for those wishing to sit their Drivers License. This would be a good one to borrow for your Summer reading. You can read it online but y’know, that means more time on a computer and nobody needs any more of that thank you😊 But here is a link to it for your convenience. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roadcode/general-road-code/

Cult trip / Anke Richter

A leading journalist's intense, riveting and personal investigation into the worlds and minds of cults. At a new age festival in Byron Bay, journalist Anke Richter is finding her spiritual awakening when she meets a woman - a survivor of the Auckland cult Centrepoint - who will change the course of her life and career.

Over the next ten years, Anke pursues a labyrinthine investigation into how and why cults attract, entrap and destroy otherwise ordinary people, asking what the line is between tribe and cult, participant and perpetrator, seduction and sexual abuse.

From the emotional and criminal carnage of Auckland's Centrepoint to an anti-cult conference in Manchester, the infamous Osho's ashram in India, the tantric Agama Yoga school in remote Thailand, and culminating in a visit to Gloriavale on the West Coast of the South Island, Anke uncovers a disturbing pattern of violence and suffering. Cult Trip is a powerful exploration of what really goes on inside the groups we call cults, and how to reckon with their aftermath. – HarperCollins website

Move! The new science of body over mind / Caroline Williams

Did you know that walking can improve your cognitive skills? That strengthening your muscular core reduces anxiety? That light stretching can combat a whole host of mental and bodily ailments, from stress to inflammation? We all know that exercise changes the way you think and feel. But scientists are just starting to discover exactly how it works. In Move!, Caroline Williams explores the emerging science of how movement opens up a hotline to our minds. Interviewing researchers and practitioners around the world, she reveals how you can work your body to improve your mind.

Why is nobody laughing? / Yasmin Rahman

A powerful contemporary novel tackling teenage mental health in boys. Ibrahim and Dexter are best of friends and spend all their time together, even including entering a local stand-up comedy competition together. Dexter is always confident and encouraging to Ibrahim, but Ibrahim begins to suffer what he slowly realises are panic attacks. How on earth can he ask for help though from his family who simply won't understand, or Dexter who is so confident himself and will think he is weak? Then Ibrahim suffers a panic attack right in the middle of one of his stand-up routines in the competition. He runs blindly off the stage and finds himself in a deserted room. And there he finds Sura. Sura is kind, understanding and helpful. She also has a very special way of showing Ibrahim how to cope and that he is a good person, a good friend and that he makes a difference to the people around him... – Wheelers website

Website to check out:

TED Talks. Technology, Entertainment and Design. Subjects from Science to Business to Global issues. All delivered in under 18 minutes, and in over 100 languages. For those who seek a deeper understanding of the world; free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers. A platform to engage with ideas and others and an Agenda to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation.

https://www.ted.com/

And you can access the library website here at any time to see what else is new, search for items, reading lists and links to Research and Academic databases.